Worker health & safety

The health and safety of livestock transport workers is at risk during the loading, checking and unloading of stock and can result in series injuries or death. Between 2003 and 2015 there were 583 work-related road freight transport fatalities (Safe Work Australia).

High risk situations can also occur on farms and roadsides, saleyards, feedlots, spelling yards, abattoirs, and depots.

All workers must either be trained in or have an adequate understanding of animal behaviour and livestock control procedures. This enables handlers to complete animal husbandry, loading and unloading tasks more quickly and easily, with less risk of injury to both the handler and the animal.

There are several risks associated with the management of livestock that workers often encounter. Such risks occur when:

checking the welfare of stock

checking stock crates

loading and unloading stock

accessing truck cabins

carrying out maintenance.

These situations may arise on both farms and roadsides, or at saleyards, feedlots, spelling yards, abattoirs, truck wash-down stations and depots.

Work health and Safety responsibilities

PCBUs are responsible for ensuring that the health and safety of workers along with clients and customers are not put at risk. Those responsible for implementing safety solutions may include:

saleyard owners

stockyard owners/operators

abattoir operators

farmers/primary producers

feedlot operators

stock selling and buying agents

livestock transporters

drivers, including owner/drivers

employers

providers of truck wash-down stations

designers, manufacturers and suppliers of yards, ramps and gates (including people who repair or modify equipment).

The health and safety risks associated with livestock transport can be reduced by implementing controls such as:

safe design, installation and maintenance of livestock yards, ramps and gates at farms, stockyards and abattoirs

safe design, selection and maintenance of livestock crates and trailers

providing a safe working environment, particularly the separation of people and livestock

using safe workplace practices

consulting with workers when identifying safety risks and prevention measures

having an incident/hazard reporting process in place and following up with actions to maintain safety

training workers in the use of new or supplied safety equipment

using adequate personal protective equipment

providing adequate information, training and instruction to workers.

PCBUs must consult and involve workers when identifying and resolving safety issues, as decisions may have safety consequences for them. An incident/injury reporting process must be implemented to enable workers to report any safety issues, hazards and incidents that occur.

Stockyard owners/operators

Stockyard owners and operators (including primary producers and abattoir operators) are responsible for the work health and safety of their own workers, as well as everyone else in the yard. They must ensure that:

a safe system of work is in place, including safe animal handling procedures

procedures to be developed and adopted in consultation with workers and contractors

all plant and equipment is maintained and in a safe working condition

a safe working environment is provided, particularly the physical separation of people and livestock

information, instruction and training are provided.

To ensure trouble-free loading and unloading of livestock, stockyard owners and operators should ideally provide:

ramps designed and built to suit:

the type of livestock being handled

the type of vehicle being used

the fall protection methods used by drivers

stairs and walkways with handrails, including along loading races, loading docks and platforms

self-latching/slam-shut gates for easy access and escape, and isolation from animal hazards

gates that swing freely with the top gudgeon reversed to prevent gates being lifted off

stockyards designed with good drainage and firm footing to reduce the risk of trips and falls

the transport operators a photograph of the loading facilities in advance of the trucks arrival.

Drivers & transport

Plan transport routes so that the best roadside sites to conduct stock welfare checks can be used. It’s important to ensure that drivers have a good understanding of how to work safely at roadsides.

When performing roadside inspections, drivers should:

ensure that the area is well lit

park on level surfaces

use traffic control devices

be aware of other traffic.

Selling and buying agents

Agents are responsible for ensuring all workers, including their contractors, have:

undertaken an induction into the stockyard’s safe working procedures

been provided with adequate information, training and instruction.

Designers, manufacturers and suppliers

Designers, manufacturers and suppliers of yards and loading ramps are responsible for designing safe plant and equipment, which includes purpose-built platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders, separation of workers from livestock, and designed to improve the livestock flow.

Anyone carrying out modifications and retrofitting is also responsible for ensuring the safety of this equipment, and PCBUs must inform, train and instruct workers regarding any changes.

Animal loading and handling

Gentle handling of herd animals (cattle, sheep and goats) benefits both the animals and farm workers.

Distracting and inattentive behaviours while working in close proximity to livestock, including chatting, smoking and using mobile phones, may lead to reduced awareness and a potential increase in the risk of injury.

All workers must have an adequate understanding of animal behaviour and livestock control procedures. All workers must be properly trained in animal husbandry so there is less risk of injury to both the handler and the animal.

Loading and unloading

Use transport companies who have drivers with good knowledge and skills in animal husbandry to load and unload livestock.

Before loading, drivers need to undertake a visual check that all ramps and equipment are safe to use.

When loading and unloading livestock check that:

reversing alarm is fitted and working

mirrors/visual aids are positioned correctly

ramps are designed and built to suit:

the type of livestock being handled

the type of vehicle being used

the fall protection methods used by drivers

stairs and walkways have handrails along loading races, docks and platforms

self-latching or slam-shut gates are designed for ready access and escape, and that they swing freely

all areas, crates and surrounds have adequate lighting

tiered gantries have safe access and egress

there are no gaps between the ramp and truck that workers can fall or escape through

Stockyards need to have good drainage and a firm footing to reduce the risk of trips and falls.

Workers need to keep a safe distance from livestock and have a planned escape route before getting close to animals. Any animals displaying restless behaviour should be identified and treated with higher level controls

When unloading is complete, secure all gates.

Loading yards

At the loading yards workers should:

check the design and condition of the dock before use

inspect the ground surface for hazards

check there are no overhead powerlines in the vicinity

make sure the area is well lit (if loading or unloading stock at night or early morning)

ensure the area is clear of people, mobile plant and equipment.

Loading ramp and race

Loading ramp and race areas should ideally be designed and constructed with:

raised catwalks enabling work to be done from outside the race

non-slip catwalk surfaces wide enough to walk along freely and safely

catwalk handrails of sufficient height and in good condition

race and ramp height/width and rail spacings appropriate for the livestock being handled

ramps with safe access to prevent falls when opening or closing truck gates.

Receiving yards

At receiving yards check that:

the yard location enables safe access (in all weather conditions)

the yard design enables a good flow of livestock to/from the truck

gates are sound, swing or slide easily, and are capable of being secured in both the open and closed positions.

Fences, gates, raised walkways and ramps

Have escape gateways (400 mm wide) with self-locking gate latches located around the yards. These should be solid and blanked out.

Everyone working at the site needs to know and follow the procedures for using, accessing and securing fences, gates, raised walkways and ramps.

If you carry out modifications and retrofitting you need to inform and train workers appropriately.

Safe working methods

Working alone

If you are working alone, check your communication equipment and follow your usual procedures for working alone.

Use of plant and machinery

When anyone is operating plant within a stockyard, it is crucial that they follow all safe work practices. Safe systems of work enable employers, stockyard owners/operators and drivers the opportunity to implement effective preventative measures.

The operator needs to be trained in how to use the item safely, with safety checks and maintenance regularly undertaken. If the plant is unsafe, it must not be operated, and the fault reported.

Working at heights

Everyone, including contractors, working at heights must:

follow agreed procedures as per their training

check the condition of any fall prevention equipment before starting work

assess the weather conditions before starting work.

There are ways to reduce the risk from falling from heights through a combination of solutions such as:

using crates which are designed, manufactured and sold with worker fall prevention features integrated and installed

ensuring any contract requires the transport operator to use fall prevention equipment during the consignment period

engaging transport operators who have eliminated the need to work at heights, such as drivers who work from the ground or a solid construction.

People should not walk on top of livestock crates unless there is a fall prevention system in place, such as a walkway with pop-up guardrails.

Existing vehicles can be retrofitted by using the following options (in descending order of preference):

install engineered improvements so that work can be done from ground level such as remote control cattle crates